[우리문화신문=김슬옹 교수]  

첫 한글 소설 《홍길동전》은 조선 광해군 시절 좌참찬을 지내다 반역죄로 극형을 당한 허균이 1608년(선조 41년) 무렵 펴낸 것으로 전해진다. 《홍길동전》에는 적서 차별 타파와 인간 평등사상 등 사회 제도를 개혁하고 부패한 정치를 비판하는 이야기가 담겨 있다. 《홍길동전》은 조선 시대를 무대로 삼고 있으며, 당대 현실 문제를 있는 그대로 보여 주며, 한글로 쓰인 소설이라는 점에서 일반 백성들에게 큰 인기를 끌었다.

창작이 아닌 번역 소설로는 홍길동전보다 97년 앞서 중종 때 채수가 쓴 한문 소설 〈설공찬전〉을 한글로 뒤친 한글소설이 있었다. 이 소설이 널리 퍼지니까 중종이 귀신을 다룬 요망한 이야기라고 나라가 이 책을 금서로 지정하여 읽지 못하게 했다.

The Publication of the First Original Hangeul Novel, Hong Gildongjeon

The first original Hangeul novel, Hong Gildongjeon (The Story of Hong Gildong), was published around 1608 (the 41st year of King Seonjo’s reign) by Heo Gyun, a high-ranking official during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. Heo Gyun, who was later executed for treason, is credited with creating this landmark work in Korean literature. Hong Gildongjeon tells the story of Hong Gildong, a figure who challenges the rigid social hierarchy of the time. The novel addresses themes such as the abolition of class discrimination and the concept of human equality, calling for social reform and criticizing the corrupt politics of the day.

Set against the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty, the story portrays real-life societal issues and was written in Hangeul, making it accessible to common people. This made the novel incredibly popular among the general population, as it was in a language they could easily read and understand.

Before Hong Gildongjeon, however, there was another Hangeul novel that was a translation, not an original work. This was the Seolgongchanjeon (The Story of Seolgongchan), a Classical Chinese novel written by Chae Su during the reign of King Jungjong. When it was translated into Hangeul, it spread widely, but due to its supernatural content involving ghosts, King Jungjong banned the book, labeling it as inappropriate for public reading. Despite this, it showcases the early use of Hangeul in literature before the emergence of the original Hangeul novels like Hong Gildongjeon.